Song Analysis: Mr. Rieger's Coming Of Age

Persevering trials bring purpose, and God’s love is evident in His chastening which should never be despised (Job 5:17; Hebrews 12:5).

He explained to us that now while playing with NF, he performs every night in bars with drinks on all four walls, but has no temptation. Instead, he helps those who are hopping from wall to wall getting drinks. All of what I was hearing made me realize that I can overcome temptation. It made me understand that if I do fall into temptation, God will lead me out of it, and in turn, use me to help those who are struggling. This was the first time it had really sank in how much I need God in my life. It made me realize I am here on Earth, not to stay, but to help those who otherwise, would be staying somewhere worse after this life. Not only can I help those by temptations God has helped me overcome, but by my passion, drumming itself. He made me realize that my drums are an outer representation of an inner manifestation. Although I might be playing a polyrhythm on my drums, it is representing my passion for God. That is more important than any beat I could ever create on the

Romans 5:3-4 points out how suffering only grows us closer to Christ through a transformation of character and realization of the fact that our hope is in him no matter the circumstance.

"We are always in great shape when we role with God in our heart, mind, body, and spirit, because there is nothing to fear, but God; so who are you?" ~ Jon Barnes

with each obstacle I grow stronger. When I thank of the goodness of Jesus I know that

So If you ask others have I struggled well, they would probably tell you yes. Looking at my life from the outside, I seems to have it pretty together. I take on many task a father, a youth leader, a surgeon, an administrator (and now student) and remarkably get it all done. If you ask me, have I struggled well, I’d have to say, “ I am not so sure” I have many doubts and question. Sometimes God and I have some talks and they are not so nice from my end. But what does it mean to struggle well? I think of Corrie Ten Boone, what an amazing woman. She struggled well. She was a Christian survivor of the Concentration camps (read the Hiding Place to know more about her story) She wasn’t perfect. She certainly saw life in the concentration camps different than her sister Betsy who was much more accepting of God's will. In the end though she came to the realization that God was in control of all things and she was able to trust in him. While my life and struggles pail in comparison, I believe that life is a journey and it the struggles of life that help us to ultimately bring us around to full obedience and trust in God. Why did James in verse 2 of chapter one say to “count it Joy when you face trial of many kinds.” It is no because they are fun or enjoyable, but because of what the outcome will be. In the following verses. He goes on to say that trials develope patients and through patients we are made complete. It is when we realize this that we then can

5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are o ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort

      No matter what the adversity may be, God wants you to know that He is sufficient, that He is enough, and that He can handle it if we allow Him too. Many times as Christians, we ask God to handle a problem or situation for us, but yet we don't allow Him to fully have control of that situation. All He is wanting us to acknowledge is that He

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9,10

In the second verse of James he tells us to “Count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations”. In order for us to count in all joy we must not fall into a pitiful state of mind which would make us vulnerable while we are in our trials. The world would have you to believe that you should just throw in the towel when you have endured pain and suffering. The world is not set up as a vehicle for grace. When is despair, the world presses down even further in order that hope is a mere distant idea. The world would have you to believe that weakness is a disease that

St. Anthony said that he struggled by the grace of God in him (4). This shows

On the other hand, Weakness occurs when we break or collapse under the pressure of some sought. Picture a wild stallion that has been broken and is now tamed. That stallion still has as much power as when he was wild, but now that power is now bottled up for his master's use. That’s what God wants us to be, to be meek for him so that he can show his love for others through us.

How much easier is it to focus on building our inner strength. In knowing that when we spend time on our own personal growth we can get to a place of inner strength that will not be shaken in any circumstance or with any person. We are connected with a Source of power that guides us and supports us in our goal to manifest our intentions. This ever increasing, always available, uplifting and empowering energy within you is your own greatness and when you learn to tap into it nothing and no one can stop you from feeling amazing 100% of the time. At different times of our lives we will jump in and out of this ocean depending on our needs but we will always know that at any moment

The truth is that we all will continue to face all sorts of challenges but it is only by God’s grace that we are able to walk our journeys as Christians.

The first thing, chronologically, is that I am taking my weakness of fear of playing music in front of people. With it, I am helping on the worship team for the camp training meetings. The other way I am engaging in society is by actually being a camp counselor. This is like using my weakness of inability to speak clearly in front of people but doing so and leading a group of 20 or so kids in the morning and in the afternoon a different group of kids. Along that line, the Bible has a fair amount of verses about weaknesses and strength. For example, Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak.” This verse stuck out to me more than some of the others because if I am doing what God wants me to do- which I have no idea if Wilderness Camp is or is not- than this should stand